"We, representing about 200 organizations, are outraged by the ruling party's breach of its promise to the public not to reinstate the so-called Agents law, states the appeal of the Georgian National Platform of the Eastern Partnership (EaP CSF), addressed to the Chairman of the Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, the Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, and the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili.
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The organizations state that they oppose anti-European Russian actions and believe that the ruling team's reintroduction of the law is "incompatible with the state's interests, culture, and Georgian traditions."
"Breaking a promise, retracting one's word, is a hallmark of Russian policy, which Russia has repeatedly employed against the civilized world, including Georgia. This action tarnishes Georgia's reputation and that of each individual involved. The reintroduction of the draft law runs counter to Georgia's European integration efforts and its adoption will ultimately undermine the historical goal of the Georgian population - to become a member of the European Union.
As member organizations of the national platform, we have been striving to progress on the path to Europe through dialogue with the Parliament of Georgia. For this purpose, we signed a memorandum of cooperation, which was positively evaluated by the European Union as an example of cooperation between the civil sector and the legislative body. However, today, Georgian Dream initiated a draft law that goes against the state interests of the country, obstructing our path to both cooperation and European integration. Therefore, the National Platform of Georgia is suspending the operation of the memorandum.
We demand that the sabotage of Georgia's western advancement be halted. The governing team should withdraw the initiated bill.
The member organizations of the National Platform of Georgia firmly stand guard over European integration. We will steadfastly defend democracy, freedom, justice, equality, and the national interests of Georgia. We will not allow anyone to deprive us of the European future earned through the struggle of many generations," the appeal reads.
The ruling party intends to pass the law on so-called foreign agents in all three readings by the end of the current session of parliament, which was rejected in March 2023 due to protests and international pressure. The text of the draft law will remain the same, with only "agent of foreign influence" being replaced by the term "organization carrying the interests of a foreign power." At today's briefing, the executive secretary of the ruling party, Mamuka Mdinaradze, noted that the draft law would not be considered in an accelerated manner and would not be withdrawn even in the event of a larger protest than last year. "No way. This is a matter of principle," said Mdinaradze. Until now, the leaders of Georgian Dream had declared that they would not return to the draft law and that this issue was closed. The honorary chairman of the party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, supports the re-initiation of the Russian law.
